quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
^I think you're referencing an old article. Support for Windows 10 ended October 2025.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
For me it was Windows 11 or a Mac M4. Because when you start fussing with high resolution image files and 4K Video you need some horsepower. So built a high power computer with the latest I9 CPU, 128gb of RAM, an Nvidea Graphics board, and a bunch of image editing software with AI features. End result if I need an AI Mask to adjust levels in a specific area clicking on the mask point results in the mask being displayed immediately instead of waiting 5 minutes or more.

Downside to Windows 11 is that there are a very long list of features I won't ever use.

One of those is OneDrive. Microthink gives you a "free" cloud account that is limited IIRC to just 2 GB. They then use that account to record every single keystroke you type, even that email to your congressman you wrote and never sent because you were a bit to "harsh" in expressing your opinion. In about 2 weeks that "free cloud" will be full of all your keystrokes and at that point Windows will barely function. I suggest that the first thing you should do is go to Google and ask "how to completely disable Onedrive". As for why, do you want someone at Microthink to have an AI "robot" monitor and report every one of your keystrokes? I certainly do NOT. There is also the simple fact it's a memory and resource log.

More Tips. Hit CTL SHIFT ESC and it will bring up the Task Manager. One of the good features of Windows 11. On the left side you will see a button labeled "Startup Apps". Click on that and you will find a list of every application that is loaded on startup. That list can be why it takes so long for your system to start up. It will take some time but grab a notepad and write down the name for every app that is labeled as "Enabled". Then go to Google and ask what each one of those Apps does. Stuff for your Printer you will actually want to keep enabled. Stuff like Copilot I have disabled, because that just brings up Microthink's news feed which is loaded with truckloads of misinformation and that damned thing pops up every time you get close to the lower right of the screen. BTW I loathe popups I didn't ask for. Anyhow, I'm not going to tell you what to disable specifically, just that there is a lot of stuff being loaded that you do not need running. Take the time to check every single item and disable any you don't need and you will have a much more responsive computer. To disable or enable an item a right click on the mouse will do that. I will also note that if you disable something essential such as your mouse an old USB corded mouse can be a lifesaver. For anything else that list of disabled apps is there to allow you to enable something you need. So don't be afraid to take a trial and error approach.

I will also note that Dell is infamous for Bloatware and you will want to take the time to clear all of that out. The absolute WORST is McAfee, which I consider as a virus. I got stuck with that mess on a new work computer and it was so resistant to being disabled and removed that I had to Format the Primary Hard Drive and re-install everything. Good news for me is that my Laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad and it was 100% free of bloatware, the only thing installed was Windows 11 Pro. As for my Desktop, it's a homebuilt with every bit of the software installed by me. Yeah that was about 2 weeks of work and another 2 weeks of tweaking but it's now running lean and fast.